A year on from the launch of the DBS, Aston Martin has announced a series of improvements for the V12 coupé. These include the Touchtronic 2 transmission, improved stereo equipment and options of +2 rear seats and lightweight alloy wheels.

The Touchtronic 2 transmission is a development of the ZF unit fitted to the DB9, which has been re-engineered for its installation in the DBS. One of the changes is a lower final drive ratio to improve acceleration. The operation of the transmission is also designed to be more aggressive and sporting to suit the nature of the DBS. Controls on the fascia allow the driver to choose Park, Reverse, Neutral or Drive while leather covered magnesium paddles behind the steering wheel give full manual control. The gearbox incorporates a Sport mode that gives fully automatic changes but holds gears to higher rpm, changes more aggressively and adjusts the throttle map for enhanced response. Aston claims the Touchtronic DBS can match the 0-62mph acceleration of the manual car at 4.3 seconds.

When the driver gets bored with the sound of the V12 engine they can listen to the new Bang & Olufsen stereo system instead. The BeoSound system was developed specifically for the DBS and features thirteen channels and ten speaker locations to relay the sound 'image'.

Other features on the updated car include the option of 2+2 seating. This replaces the luggage space behind the front seats with a pair of occasional seats and is offered in response to customer feedback. Twenty-inch forged aluminium wheels are also on the options list. Lighter than the standard alloys the ten-spoke design features a diamond-turned surface and is available in either silver or graphite finish.

The DBS costs £162,500 in manual form or £165,500 for the Touchtronic 2 model.

John Lambert - 30 Sep 2008